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Over 100 people working in the heritage sector in County Donegal attended the launch of the new County Donegal Heritage Plan in Lough Eske Castle, near Donegal Town on Tuesday, May 28. The aim of the new seven-year plan is to “Work together to manage, conserve, promote and celebrate our heritage responsibly, foster appreciation and communicate the values of our rich heritage to present and future generations.” In order to achieve this aim, the plan outlines five strategic goals and 45 strategic objectives.
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“This comprehensive plan marks a significant milestone in Donegal County Council’s on-going commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich and diverse heritage of County Donegal” said Cllr. Martin Harley, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council. “Stewardship of our heritage is a shared responsibility. It is through the combined efforts of the local community, heritage organisations and government agencies that we can ensure the sustainable management and celebration of our heritage for generations to come.” John McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council outlined some of the heritage assets – historic buildings, archaeological sites and biodiversity-rich lands – that are owned or managed by Donegal County Council. “Over the lifetime of the new County Heritage Plan, Donegal County Council is committed to improving resources for heritage services in the county and to supporting employment and training opportunities in the heritage sector” said Mr. McLaughlin. “A strong heritage sector supports social, cultural and economic development. Donegal County Council looks forward to working with heritage stakeholders and local communities in delivering the heritage needs and priorities set out in our new County Heritage Plan.”
The County Donegal Heritage Forum is a committee of Donegal County Council that provides advice on the preparation and implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan. Its membership is drawn from a variety of sectors including the heritage organisations/groups, local government, local development, state agencies, educational institutions, landowner/farming representatives, and the community and voluntary sector. The Chairperson of the County Donegal Heritage Forum, Cllr. Barry Sweeny outlined some of the successful heritage initiatives implemented in County Donegal with support from the Heritage Council including the appointment of a part-time Community Archaeologist, award-winning Historic Towns Initiatives and National Heritage Week. He also acknowledged the success of community groups in County Donegal in various Heritage Council initiatives such as securing funding for local heritage projects under the Community Heritage Grant Scheme, successful participation in the Adopt a Monument scheme and receiving recognition at the National Heritage Week Awards. Launching the County Donegal Heritage Plan, Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of The Heritage Council, paid tribute to the active heritage sector in County Donegal and said that The Heritage Council was pleased to invest over €3 million in County Donegal-based heritage projects since 2019.
Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer, set out the goals of the new plan which are to improve resources for heritage services, engage and support communities in the management of our heritage, raise awareness and appreciation of our heritage, provide advice and promote best heritage practice, and commission new research. Initial research has shown that the value of volunteer time invested by community heritage groups in County Donegal every year is worth €42 million and he stressed the need for more paid employment opportunities in the heritage sector in the county. He highlighted some of the initiatives that are underway to address the plan’s strategic goals and acknowledged the importance of the support provided by The Heritage Council, Donegal County Council and other key stakeholders. At the launch, a preview of a new website on playwright Brian Friel’s Ballybeg was highlighted. The website was commissioned by Donegal County Council as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan and was developed by Dr. Harriet Purkis and Mitchell Davies. The website outlines Brian Friel’s literary associations with County Donegal; establishes a database of real and imagined places in his work; and identifies characters, places and settings portrayed in his work and their real-life associations.
The new County Heritage Plan is available on-line at www.donegalcoco.ie/heritage or from the County Donegal Heritage Office on (074) 916 3824 or by e-mail at [email protected].
